The Obstructed All-Star Snubs
Every year we have the same debate at this time. It isn't who made the All-Star Game, but who DOESN'T make the All-Star game. And we get into the debate if the whole at least one player from each team must represented. To be honest, I like that rule in part because seeing the Detroit Tigers from 1994-2005 (and probably starting this year in 2017) was not all that appealing but I wanted to see if at least they did something on a national stage where I could see them. So I get that.
But that is probably why we get the snubs to an extent. But anyway, let's look at the players who probably SHOULD be in Miami next week but won't.
1. Travis Shaw-3B, Milwaukee Brewers: This one probably bothers me and there is nothing anybody could do about it except put him in the final vote, which they didn't. And adding on, the NL Central leading Brewers only have one All-Star in closer Corey Knebel. I have somewhat cooled off on Arenado getting the start given his defensive prowess as he is probably the best all-around 3B in the Majors, but Shaw's numbers are better than Mark Reynolds and Kris Bryant as a whole. But somehow he is left off.
2. Chris Devenski-RP, Houston Astros: For as much as we talk about how today's game has evolved, especially with relief pitchers, and one of the teams at the forefront of it is Houston, Devenski reminds me of a throwback reliever who could go 2, even 3 innings to get the job done. And he gets the job done. Devenski has a 2.09 ERA, which is very good in this day of age, but what really impresses me is his 0.77 WHIP and his 11+ K/9 IP he has to this point. And another reason why Houston is running away with the AL West and the best record in baseball.
3. Adam Duvall-OF, Cincinnati Reds: Duvall has been awesome, either at Cincinnati or away from Great American Ballpark. I get why the NL chose Ender Inciarte and others in the OF, but not even having him in the Final Vote alongside Shaw is a travesty. His numbers speak for themselves as he is having a great year for the Reds.
4. Xander Bogaerts-SS, Boston Red Sox: IF Bogaerts doesn't get the final vote, this is a huge snub as his numbers are better than Francisco Lindor in every category save for the HR spot.
5. Elvis Andrus-SS Texas Rangers: Same thing as Bogaerts. Andrus's numbers are really better than Bogaerts too, but by a hair. That said, both of them deserve to go. It is that tradition of the manager picking his guy over the others. Andrelton Simmons has numbers that are better than Lindor as well.
6. Josh Reddick-OF, Houston Astros: Reddick has had a very good season in Houston while the big players like Springer, Altuve, and Correa get the love. His numbers are better pretty solid all throughout and deserves a crack at the All-Star Game this year. Maybe next year if the Astros play late October baseball.
7. Chase Anderson-P Milwaukee Brewers: I get he's injured and probably wouldn't pitch, but the recognition would be nice as once again, Milwaukee leads the division but only one player is in the All-Star game. Anderson's numbers have been strong this year. Nothing like Kershaw or Scherzer of course, but he has been a key factor in Milwaukee's resurgence (7-2, 2.89 ERA, 1.11 WHIP)
8. Gio Gonzalez-P, Washington Nationals: Trying to crack an All-Star team with Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg on the same team is tough as is, but Gio has had an excellent bounce-back year from 2016. His 2.86 ERA is a half ER better than Strasburg, but it is really about the power that Strasburg possesses.
9. Kolten Wong-2B, St. Louis Cardinals: Of course, this stings with Wong being injured, but the numbers he has put up have been solid, in fact far more solid than either Josh Harrison or DJ LeMahieu. He only has 1 HR to his credit, but 2nd on the Cardinals with doubles. Maybe the glove is what kept Wong off, and LeMahieu on, but Wong is actually having a better year until he got hurt.
10. Jean Segura-SS Seattle Mariners: I stand corrected on my shortstop assessment of Bogaerts and Andrus. Segura is having a career year in Seattle (which makes it hard to figure out how on planet earth the Mariners have not done anything-oh right, their rotation is a disaster) and probably deserves it more than either one. Segura is hitting .343 in Seattle (.860 OPS) and while the HR numbers are down a bit, he is showing he is capable of being a great shortstop. But I guess his issue is that he plays in Seattle and unless it is Griffey or A-Rod out there, the Mariners are an afterthought. That and maybe he isn't as strong with the glove like Bogaerts, Lindor, or Andrus.
11. Logan Morrison-1B Tampa Bay Rays: I flip-flopped on LoMo in part because of the average being down a bit (.260), but he is having a career year in Tampa Bay, where the Rays are 44-42 and still in the thick of a Wild Card. And really alongside Corey Dickerson, Morrison has been a catalyst for the Rays. But probably what takes him off the roster is that average. But he does deserve to go. But calling out Gary Sanchez, who had nothing to do with getting in, probably doesn't do him any favors of being a possible replacement.
Let me say this: I will not bash any player for getting in. I just feel some of these snubs may deserve it more than others. But it is hard to make an All-Star team and everybody strives for it. Anyway, who knows if some of them may still go to Miami by Monday due to injuries/skipped starts.
-Fan in the Obstructed Seat
